BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) has announced that legendary singer-songwriter Paul Anka will receive the prestigious BMI Icon Award at the 2026 BMI Pop Awards. The ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, will celebrate Anka’s extraordinary seven-decade career and his indelible impact on the world of popular music.
The private event, hosted by BMI’s top executives including CEO Mike O’Neill, will also recognize the year’s most successful creators by naming the BMI Pop Song, Songwriter, and Publisher of the Year, alongside honoring the 50 most-performed pop songs in the U.S.
Paul Anka’s career is defined by its remarkable longevity and versatility. Having written his first number-one hit, "Diana," at the age of 13, Anka remains the only artist in history to have a song on the Billboard charts for seven consecutive decades. His catalog exceeds 900 songs, including timeless classics like Frank Sinatra's "My Way," which Anka penned specifically for the "Chairman of the Board."
"Paul Anka has captured timelessness, writing himself into the soundtrack of popular music where greatness isn't just a moment, but a lifelong crescendo," said Barbara Cane, BMI Vice President, Worldwide Creative. "We are thrilled to honor him as a BMI Icon."
Anka's influence spans generations and genres. He has collaborated with a diverse array of superstars, from Michael Jackson and Celine Dion to Drake and Michael Bublé. Beyond his 120 recorded albums and 90 million global sales, he famously composed "Johnny's Theme" for The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, the longest-running theme in television history.
As the newest BMI Icon, Anka joins an elite circle of previous honorees, including Dolly Parton, Sting, Stevie Nicks, and The Bee Gees. The recognition comes during a prolific period for the 84-year-old artist, who recently released the studio album Inspirations of Life and Love and is currently developing an autobiographical Broadway musical.
